Q&A

We get asked a lot of plumbing quesitons, and we love sharing our knowledge with others. Below you'll find a selection of some of the more common questions that we hear.

Q.

Does my HWT require regular inspections?

A.

Yes! There are many components to a water heater and these components can and should be serviced to ensure safe operation and to extend the life of your water heater. The temperature and pressure relief valve (commonly referred to as the T and P) is an important safety component that is designed to discharge water from the tank when an unsafe pressure or temperature is sensed within the tank. If this valve fails to operate properly, your water heater could explode with tremendous force (expansion ratio for water to steam is 1700 times). Sediment flushing and a properly sized and functioning expansion tank are important ways to extend the life of the water heater. Our plumbers are trained to perform all manner of water heater service and maintenance – call us today for prompt and friendly service!

Q.

My toilet is gurgling. What should I do?

A.

A toilet may seem simple; push lever, contents empty. However, toilets operate on some pretty nifty scientific principles, such as the siphon. This is the method by which water is pulled up out of the toilet bowl, and down the drain. This system acts a bit like a vacuum, and if there is a blockage in the drain, clogged venting, or some other issue interrupting the correct balance of air flow and water, a gurgling can occur. Some common reasons for toilet gurgling are septic tank problems and root intrusion into the sewer line. Our plumbers are trained to quickly identify the cause(s) of toilet issues and fix them right the first time. Call us for prompt and friendly service!

Q.

Q: We had our water heater and kitchen faucet installed by a company that we would prefer never to have back in our home. Can HomeWise Plumbing deal with the warranties on those products they installed?

A.

A: Yes we can. Regardless of who it is that installed your fixture, be it water heater, taps, etc., if the product is under manufacturer warranty, HomeWise Plumbing will be glad to intervene and ensure that your warranty is honored. Many plumbing fixtures carry lifetime warranties and most water heaters carry 6-10 year warranties - we can help you determine what sort of warranty applies to your individual product and handle the warranty process on your behalf.

Q.

I don’t have any hot water. What’s wrong?

A.

You could have a problem with one of the thermostats in your water heater, which can result in water that is too cold, or too hot. The dip tube in your water heater may have ruptured causing cold water to short circuit through the heater. If there is no pressure on the hot side as opposed to simply low temperature, you may have a malfunctioning heat trap, which is a device designed to limit thermal migration from your heater into the water distribution system in your home. You could also have a malfunctioning heater element, which isn't heating the water as it should. Our plumbers are trained to identify all of the above issues and more.

Q.

Are you a green company?

A.

We do our best to help the planet where we can, from reducing paper use to ride sharing whenever possible for our techs.

We do not use harsh chemicals to clear drains, which is not only good for the environment but also for your piping.

We recycle water heaters, toilets, faucets etc and refurbish used plumbing parts for use in community low income housing whenever possible.

I have recently been told that my perimeter drainage system requires replacement – is this the case?

A.

It could be, however our experience has been that many contractors will give a quick inspection and promptly recommend a full system replacement. At Plumb-Perfect, we believe in taking the time to understand our customer’s needs and how we can best meet them. We are confident that being honest and fair with our customers is the best way to ensure the long term success of our company. We can inspect your drainage systems to determine their true condition and whether repair/cleaning or replacement makes the most sense for you. Our plumbers are have extensive experience in perimeter drain installation and maintenance and are available 24/7/365 to serve you!

Q.

I have low water pressure. What’s wrong?

A.

It's possible that you have a broken water service line or a clogged pipe. A broken water line can allow water to escape from someplace other than where you want it, which reduces pressure. A clogged pipe can also reduce the amount of water reaching a faucet or shower, which has a similar effect on pressure. A clogged aerator (the filter/pressure limiter at the tip of most faucets) or showerhead could be an issue as well. We have state of the art equipment and techniques to easily locate water leaks that can cost upwards of $200 per day in water consumption. If a pressure reducing valve has recently been installed, it may not be adjusted to an optimal pressure setting for your home. Water pressure within residential dwellings varies between 30 and 80 psi – our plumbers can quickly measure your pressure and determine the cause of any problems you may have.

Q.

What’s your dispatch fee about?

A.

Service plumbers spend on average nearly half their day travelling from job site to job site. The call-out fee is a charge intended to offset the costs associated with travel to and from your location. Return customers can have this fee reduced, and we occasionally offer promotions wherein this fee is waived. We'll also waive the fee if we are already in your area, and of course, we only charge the fee once per job, even if we have to return several times (such as for a renovation).